Air visitors controller ‘left work early’ earlier than passenger jet and army helicopter collided in DC aircraft crash

An air traffic controller left work early before a passenger jet and a military helicopter collided, it was claimed yesterday.

Investigators found that one member of staff was left controlling both planes and helicopters – a job usually done by two people – when the deadly crash happened at 8.47pm on Wednesday in Washington DC.

Sources said the roles are sometimes combined, but not until after 9.30pm.

It was one of several factors being probed last night as search teams continued to pull the bodies of the 67 victims from the freezing Potomac River.

Championship figure skaters who had attended a competition in Wichita, Kansas, were among the passengers on the American Airlines jet.

These included Everly and Alydia Livingston, known as the Ice Skating Sisters on social media. Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, were rising stars in the ice-dancing world. 

They were killed with their parents, Peter and Donna. Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves was one of three crew on the Black Hawk helicopter. His wife Carrie wrote on social media: ‘We ask that you pray for our family and friends and for all the other families that are suffering today.’

Jonathan Campos was revealed as the captain of the American Airlines flight.

The wreckage of the Washington air collision seen in the Potomac river near Ronald Reagan National Airport

‘Ice Skating Sisters’ Everly (right) and her 11-year-old sister Alydia Livingston were killed in the tragic collision

Jonathan Campos was revealed as the captain of the American Eagle flight

Devastated Andy Beyer, of North Virginia, revealed his wife Justyna and 12-year-old daughter Brielle were on board. Lawyer Elizabeth Keys, 33, also died. And tributes were paid to Kiah Duggins, 30, a Howard University professor and former Miss Kansas finalist.

Washington DC fire chief John Donnelly last night said the remains of 41 victims have been recovered and 28 people have been positively identified. He added that all bodies are expected to be recovered.

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said the helicopter was flying higher than it was allowed and had strayed half a mile from its approved route. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules ban helicopters from flying above 200 ft in the busy Potomac River corridor, but the collision occurred at around 300 ft.

Mr Trump wrote on social media site Truth Social: ‘The Black Hawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot.’

He suggested on Thursday that a misguided focus on diversity may have led to under-qualified individuals working in the control tower.

When asked if the president believes people with disabilities have a place to work in the federal government, Mr Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last night: ‘People should not be hired based on their disabilities, based on their skin colour, their gender, their race.

‘None of that matters. The president is focused on ensuring that the most competent individuals, the best and the brightest in this country are in positions in the federal government.’

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, said: ‘I couldn’t tell you what [Mr Trump] was talking about because the quality of air traffic controllers out there is outstanding.’ Addressing the control tower staffing issue, revealed in an interim FAA report, he added: ‘It is not uncommon for us to combine positions. There is usually someone in a supervisory position overseeing the work.’

Andrew Eaves was one of three pilots on the Blackhawk military helicopter PAT25

American Airlines crash victims 12-year-old Brielle Bryer (right) and her mother Justyna Beyer, 42 (left)

Lawyer Elizabeth Keys (pictured) was one of the victims of the crash

However, sources claimed the job of monitoring planes and helicopters at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is usually done by two people until at least 9.30pm.

Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said diversity, equity and inclusion targets would be scrapped at the FAA and in the military.

He said: ‘We will get to the bottom of what happened here. It’s completely unacceptable in our nation’s capital or anywhere. Something like this can never happen again.’

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Spokesman Todd Inman said it will be concluded in a year.